HOME AGAIN, BUT......

We're home!

And it's wonderful...really it is. (Sigh....I'm trying to convince myself.)

'Cause, I'm feeling overwhelmed with so much "stuff" to do.

And you know.....

As soon as I:

~unpack
~do laundry
~download hundreds of photos (I'm not kidding)
~buy groceries
~get the bills caught up
~catch up on e-mails
~return phone calls
~etc., etc., etc........
~plus re-pack for another trip this weekend (a wedding)

I'll be back to tell you all about our fabulous trip and to visit each of you. I've missed YOU!



From Kat

BACK NEXT TUESDAY

This Birthday Queen and her Prince Charming are outta here! We're leaving this morning for our Fall Foliage Getaway.

(I promise to be a better blog friend once we're home and our suitcases are unpacked.)

From Kat

OUR SATURDAY

I feel totally "out of the loop". I've had no time to spend on the computer, which means no blog reading. I've been busy getting ready for our trip next week.

Mom and Sherry arrived yesterday afternoon. It's so nice to have them here. Naturally, we're doing our "normal" things, which means games, lots of eating, glasses of wine and plenty of laughter.

Today we drove to Pier Park to do some shopping and had lunch at Five Guys. Yummy burgers and fries. They had some malt vinegar for the fries right by the ketsup and as soon as I took the first bite it instantly took me back to my childhood when we would go to the fair and have fries - served in a giant paper cone and then sprinkled with malt vinegar. Yum!

~~~~~~

Yippee! I reached my goal of $1,200.00!

Actually, I have raised $1,345.00 (so far) for the 2008 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of the Emerald Coast of Florida. I have decided to raise my goal to $1,750.00. Maybe I'll get to raise it again soon since the walk isn't until October 25th. I have had lots of friends, including many of you, that have donated to the cause and some are actually planning to walk with us. Yeah!

This is a photo from last year. Before the walk began, all of the breast cancer survivors stood under a pink balloon arch. I remember the feeling of standing there among these brave women of different ages who were "fighting the good fight" against breast cancer.

Thank you Lord for another year!

~~~~~~

I hope everyone is having a good weekend.



From Kat

SO SLEEPY

I had a busy, busy day, but tonight was fun. We had dinner and drinks with our good friends, Carolyn and Robert at Trattoria Borago.

Yeah! I've now raised $1,125.00 for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. My original goals was $1,200.00. It looks like I'll be increasing my goal since the walk isn't until October 25th.

I can't keep my eyes open tonight. I've been a bad blogger this week and haven't had time to visit my blogging buddies. I hoped to do it tonight, but I'm just too sleepy..... (yawn) Sorry!

From Kat

WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - FOR OURSELVES AND FOR OTHERS

George has surprised me with a Fall Foliage Getaway trip next week for my birthday. Today I did a little shopping to pick up a few Fall pieces to take. My Mom and Sherry are coming on Friday to house-sit and keep Miss Daisy so I want to have most of my packing finished. You KNOW when they are here we spend all of our time playing games and cooking. I can't wait to spend a few days with them before we leave next Wednesday.
~~~~~~



Today is the 17th...don't forget to do your self breast exam. It's important! It CAN save your life.

Also, please...pretty please...click the breast cancer button on my sidebar every time you visit. Together we CAN make a difference ~~~~~~

I'm excited to have formed Team Davenport for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk on Saturday, October 25th.

George and I did the walk last year along with some of our friends and it was so much fun. Plus, it's for a very good cause. After I was diagnosed in 2006 and then having another scare in June of this year, I KNOW how important it is for us to win against this devastating disease.

You can click here or here for more information or you can click on the widget on my sidebar. My goal is to raise $1,200.00. So far I have raised $900.00. I actually hope to increase my goal.

Please pray our walk is successful.

From Kat

TUESDAY LUNCH BUNCH & A NICE AWARD

The Tuesday Lunch Bunch met today at Mitchell's Fish Market. Yum! I had my favorite - Voodoo Barbecue Shrimp appetizer. There were 10 of us today, although one is missing from the photo since she had to leave early. It's always fun to get together.
~~~~~~

Carolyn at Harbor Hon has awarded me with this special award. Isn't it nice? I think so. Thank you Carolyn!

If you're a regular visitor (and commenter!) here at Justabeachkat, please accept this award from me to YOU.

From Kat

MY KIND OF CLEANING

What is WRONG with me? I'm still cleaning and re-organizing? Somebody make me stop?

Oh good...I just heard from Maxine...I like the way the old girl thinks!

HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE

1. Open a new file in your PC .
2. Name it "Housework."
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.
4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN.
5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete Housework permanently?"
6. Calmly answer, "Yes," and press mouse button firmly ...
7. Feel better?

Works for me!

Kat

I'M A WINNER...A BOOK AND AN AWARD!

I WON! Angie at By Faith...Ang Baylis was doing a book giveaway and I was the lucky winner of Lisa Jander's book, Dater's Ed that was recently published for students and parents to assist in the dating process! According to Lisa, "Dater's Ed is to dating what Driver's Ed is to driving!"

~~~

My kids are grown and out of the dating world, but Angie wrote "You'll love this book even if you are already married or think your kids are too young (or old) to date! :)"

~~~

I look forward to reading it and will be happy to pass it along to the first person leaving a comment who would like it once I'm finished.

Thanks Angie!

***update***Paige at Paige's Petals was the first commenter who wanted to read it. She has 3 teenagers dating, so I'm sure this book will be a big help.

~~~~~~

Sheila at Gim'Me Memories has passed along this special Smile Award. Thanks Sheila!

Characteristics for the Smile Award:

Must display a cheerful attitude. (not necessarily at all times--we are all human)

Must love one another

Must make mistakes

Must learn from others

Must be a positive contributor to blog world

Must love life

Must love kids

These are the rules:

1. The recipient must link back the the awards creator

2. You must post these rules if you receive the award.

3. You must choose 5 people to receive the award after receiving it yourself.

4. You must fit the characteristics of the recipient of the award.

5. You must post the characteristics of a recipient.

6. You must create a post sharing your win with others.

7. You must thank your giver.

~~~

I pass this special award on to:

DebraK at ~the Bunnies' Bungalow~

Tonja at Gatherings

Melissa at Sunbonnet Cottage

Joan at Joan's Journeys

Mary Isabella at Daisy Bouquet

From Kat

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST....AND LOOKING FORWARD TO FALL

George and I went out for breakfast this morning and then with dread in our hearts, we rode over to the beach to see how our condos did with the heavy wind and water surge caused by "The Beast" aka Hurricane Ike. These first few photos are what we normally see. Beautiful turquoise water and sugar white sand.

What beauty!

This photo has not been re-touched or changed a bit. I took this photo from our boat a couple of years ago when we spotted dolphins. Just look at that beautiful water!

Ta Dah!

This is what it looked like today:

There were "nuts" out there sitting on the beach like it was just another day in "paradise"....amazing! It was so windy that it was hard for me to stand still and take photos. The waves were amazing.

Thank you Lord for sparing us this time. My prayers are for everyone who has been affected by Gustav and Ike. We remember when Hurricanes Dennis, Ivan and Katrina did their damage here. The power of weather is amazing and humbling. We're on the Gulf Coast, but we're a LONG LONG way from where Hurricane Ike came in and our beaches still got hurt. It was the same way with Hurricane Katrina. I can't imagine the damage to the beaches further west from us! Hurricane season is such a scary time for us! It seems we hold our breath until it's over.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you ready for Fall? I am!

It still feels and looks like Summer here, but I couldn't stand it any longer. I had to do a few things around the house to make me at least feel a tiny bit cooler. Here's the breakfast table.

I picked up a bag of candy corn yesterday (it HAS to be Brach's!!!!) and George's eyes lit up! LOL

Awwww...you know you what some. Go ahead and take a handfull...I do almost ever time I pass the bowl. Watch out...they're addictive.

I've never used Crotons before, but love the Fall colors and I think they look so pretty in my big containers by the front door.

This isn't the best photo since the sun was so bright. I'm itching to hang my Fall wreath, but my neighbors might think I'm nuts since it still feels like Summer here. I guess I'll wait until October. Sigh...

From Kat

WHAT MY CLOSET HAS TAUGHT ME...AND OTHER THINGS

I sure do!

My closet cleaning has taught me a few things:

~I buy way too many shoes...........and purses........and sunglasses........and jewelry.

Could this be because no matter how I feel about my weight at the time, these are easy to buy and they fit?

~Just how many pair of black slacks/capris does one person need.

~I really don't have to buy something I like in 2 or 3 colors.

~Closet shelves can gather A LOT of dust in less than 2 years.

~If I don't clean my closet often, I really have no idea what all I have in there since I end up wearing the same things over and over and over.

~It's kinda fun to discover some "oldies but goodies" tucked amongst some "oldies but why did I buy THAT butt ugly thing?"

~Having things in 3 closets (master and both guests room) means I have entirely too much STUFF!!

~I don't know (it seems) when to let go of things. This is something I need to work on.

~When I clean my side of the closet and get it all nice and smelling fresh, George's formally neat looking side looks messy, sooooo now I must clean his side. And since, I going through clothes in the guests rooms, now I must clean them too. Hmmmm....this is turning into a BIG job. And one thing leads to another that leads to another.

“The end benefit of cleaning out your closet is not a clean closet— it’s making space for new clothes.”

~ Candace Corlett, WSL Strategic Retail

~~~~~~

Okay enough of closet talk. I have some questions:

Question 1: Has anyone else noticed that when you click on your Dashboard at Blogger, the number of comments it shows you have received isn't correct? Mine might show 6 and I'll actually have 11 comments waiting to be published. Wonder what's up with that?

Question 2: I'm wanting to learn how to use a wok and make some quick and healthy meals. I mentioned it to my Mom when she was here last time and she offered to give me her wok since she didn't use it. I picked it up recently and now I'm ready to get started. Does anyone have any good "tried and true" wok recipes?

~~~~~~

I'm sure you're all feeling the same way I do. Hurricane Ike is making my heart hurt. I'm praying HARD for all of those that will be affected. I believe in miracles.

Please Lord, show us a BIG miracle.

From Kat

WELL SAID

God bless the U.S.A.!

God bless those that fight for our freedom.



From Kat

YOU'RE THE BEST

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to all of you!

I've been a terrible blog friend lately, I know. I haven't been visiting everyone like I normally do. I've been a busy girl every day, ALL day and my computer time has been limited. I'm happy though since I've gotten soooo much accomplished. Not only have I been working on "the" closet, but we've been cleaning windows, working in the yard, etc. Don't ask me why we've suddenly gone overboard with doing things around the house. Both of us. It wasn't planned, it just seemed to hit us both at the same time. It's kinda nice to see all we've accomplished.

You've ALL been wonderful about continuing to visit me and leave comments even though I've been a "no show" lately. I really really appreciate it. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm hoping to visit you all within the next day or so.


Even Miss Daisy is ready for us to slow down and get back to our normal routine. She follows us around and just watches and waits. This afternoon we took her outside for some play. She ran and ran in circles. Wow, she's so FAST!

Tonight all three of us are tired!
~~~~~~

A little birdie told me tomorrow (Friday, Sept. 12th) is the birthday of a very good blog friend of lots of us....Kari at Just Livin' Large. Stop by and give the birthday girl some birthday blogging love!

Happy Birthday Kari!





From Kat

I'M POOPED!

I'm exhausted tonight. So tired, but it's the good tired feeling you get when you've worked hard all day and got a lot accomplished. I got a good workout this morning in my exercise class and then George and I did a long bike ride. When we got home, we had lunch and then we both got busy doing chores around the house. All.day.long!

I'm ready for bed, but I just had to share this funny cartoon someone e-mailed me:



Hey, I'm blonde myself, but I still had to laugh at this cartoon that was entitled "Best Blonde Cartoon Ever"!


Night Night!



From Kat